Ryan's visit in November will no doubt spark talk of a White House bid in 2016 for the Wisconsin congressman, who campaigned in Iowa frequently as Mitt Romney's running mate. It's the first time Ryan will be back in the Hawkeye State to take care of political business since he and Romney lost.

"He's a key player in the House, and I like him a lot," Branstad told National Review Online, which was first to report the Ryan visit. "I enjoyed campaigning with him last year. He's a good guy."

Branstad has a knack for attracting potential 2016 candidates to his birthday party. The featured speaker last year was Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, who's also frequently mentioned in the 2016 conversation.

Iowans are already getting a look at some of the candidates who are being talked about as 2016 contenders, and the first-in-the-nation caucuses are more than two years away. Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are in Iowa this week, and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar will head there next month.